Airfloat says the new Community Sport Facilities Fund is a chance for rowing, sailing and paddle clubs to fix one of their most common problems: safe access to the water and somewhere to keep their boats.

The Government's Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), the successor to the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, opened for applications on Monday 19 October 2026. It runs until 5pm on Friday 26 February 2027.

The new round targets sports and areas that have been historically under-invested in, and it encourages multi-club and multi-sport projects. Shared waterfront facilities fit that brief well.

Under the Local Grants tier, clubs can apply for up to €70,000 in equipment funding. Equipment-only applications do not require ownership of the property, so clubs operating from leased harbour, river or foreshore sites can apply. Larger collaborative projects can apply under the Regional tiers.

Crew Access – Modular floating pontoons can help rowing clubs launch and recover boats while reducing contact with quay walls and slipways. Photo: Airfloat

Flexible Layout – Airfloat pontoon modules can be configured for different waterfront sites and shared watersports activities. Photo: Airfloat

Floating access for rowing, sailing and paddle clubs

For many Irish clubs, getting on the water still means a steep slipway, a quay ladder or a shared public pontoon. Airfloat's modular pontoons are designed to change that. As Airfloat is based in Ireland, pontoon lead times are short, and installation is straightforward, with a team based in Dún Laoghaire.

• Safe access at any water level. The pontoon rises and falls with the tide or river level, so access stays consistent throughout a session.
• Easier for everyone. A stable floating platform makes it safer and simpler for juniors, adaptive athletes and new members to get afloat.
• Modular and expandable. Each installation is configured to suit the site, and clubs can add sections as membership and fleets grow.
• Built for shared use. One access pontoon can serve rowing, sailing, kayaking and paddle clubs on the same waterfront, which suits the multi-club projects the CSFF is prioritising.

For rowing clubs in particular, a reliable floating platform makes launching crews quicker and safer, and reduces the risk of damage to boats and oars against quay walls.

Getting Afloat – A floating pontoon provides a platform for watersports activities and access to the water. Photo: Airfloat

Ready to Launch – The Eirglide drive-on system supports RIB storage clear of the water and quicker launch and recovery. Photo: Airfloat

Eirglide: storage on the water

Combined with Airfloat pontoons, the Eirglide drive-on system lifts craft clear of the water and keeps them ready to go.

• RIBs and safety boats are stored afloat and can launch immediately, which matters when safety cover is needed at short notice.
• Rowing boats can be stored securely on the water rather than carried down from a boathouse for every session.
• Hulls stay clean, with less fouling and lower maintenance costs over the life of each boat.
• Launch and recovery are faster, freeing up time for coaching sessions and events.

For clubs short on boathouse or shore space, on-water storage can also free up room ashore for training and changing facilities.

Support Boat Power – Selva petrol outboards and ePropulsion electric motors are among the repowering options offered for club safety and coaching boats. 

Repowering support boats

A new pontoon and storage system is the ideal moment to look at the boats it serves. Many clubs are running safety RIBs and coaching launches on ageing engines, and Airfloat's Irish partner MarineServices.ie can help them repower at the same time.

• Selva outboard engines. Reliable, competitively priced petrol outboards across a wide power range, for repowering safety boats, coaching RIBs and club launches.
• ePropulsion electric outboards. For clubs looking to move to electric power, these are quiet, zero-emission at the point of use and low-maintenance. They are well suited to rivers, lakes and inland waters, and to rowing coaching launches where a quiet engine lets the coach be heard by the crew.

Applying and how Airfloat can help

Airfloat works with its Irish partner MarineServices.ie to help clubs and local authorities plan pontoon layouts for each site. Together they provide the formal quotations and technical specifications needed for a CSFF application, followed by installation nationwide.

Applications are made through the new SPRAOI system, accessed at gov.ie/SportsCapital. Clubs that have not applied before should register early and check the official CSFF guide for eligibility.

For site advice or a quotation, contact AirfloatMPS.com at [email protected] or +353 (0)1 233 0206.